“I’ll tak’ them,” he said uneasily, and put his hand in his pocket.
“Thank you,” said Christina. “Will that be all to-day?”
“Ay; that’ll be a’.” He had purposed spending the odd penny of his fund on a birthday card, but for some undefinable reason let the coin fall back into his pocket.
Christina proceeded to make a neat parcel. “You’re a stranger here,” she remarked pleasantly.
“Ay. But I dinna live far awa’.” Now that the ordeal was over, he was feeling more at ease. “Ye’ve a nice shop, miss.”
“Do you think so? I’m very glad you got something to suit you in it. Thank you! Half-a-crown—two-and-six exactly. Good afternoon!”
It may be that Macgregor would have stopped to make a remark or two on his own account, but just then an elderly woman entered the shop.
“Guidbye, Miss,” he murmured, touching his cap, and departed with his purchase.
Christina dropped the silver into the till. To herself she said: “I doobt he’s no’ as green as he’s cabbage-lookin’.” Aloud: “Nice day, Mrs. Dunn. Is your little grandson quite well again?”